Using NewsHour Extra Feature Stories

Overview: NewsHour Extra feature stories can help students identify and interpret key issues in current events. This activity anticipates one class period, but the follow-up essay might be assigned as homework or in another period.

Warm Up: Use initiating questions to introduce the topic and find out how much your students know.

Main Activity: Have students read NewsHour Extra's feature story and answer the questions on the reading comprehension handout.

Discussion: Use discussion questions to encourage students to think about how the issues outlined in the story affect their lives and express and debate different opinions.

Follow-up: Students can write a 500-word editorial on the topic expressing their views and send it to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org] for possible publication.

Evaluation: Students are graded on their answers to reading comprehension questions and/or their editorial.

Story: Immigration Debate Inflames Students and Lawmakers, 04/03/06
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june06/immigration_4-03.html

Initiating Questions:

1. Why do immigrants come to the United States?

2. What makes an immigrant "illegal"?

3. What are the pros and cons of immigration?

Reading Comprehension Questions: (click here for printout)

1. How are many students in the U.S. responding to possible new immigration legislation?

Thousands of students in cities as far flung as Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston and the suburbs of Washington, D.C. walked out of classes last week to protest possible new laws that would crack down on illegal immigration.

2. Why did students say they were getting involved in the immigration issue?

Many of the protesting students have parents who came to this country illegally and worry that the proposed laws would break up their families.

"We're fighting for our parents and their rights 'cause they fight for us," Jessica Montufar, 17, whose parents emigrated from Guatemala 20 years ago, told the Washington Post.

3. How did students say they felt about their experience?

While school administrators and city leaders urged students to remain in school -- with some threatening suspensions -- students said they felt empowered by the experience.

"Sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe in," Mariela Muniz, 15, a student organizer in California, told the LA Times. "We did. And it worked."

4. Describe the immigration bill that passed the House of Representatives in December.

In December, the House of Representatives passed a strict immigration reform bill that makes living in the United States without documents a criminal offense, proposes building fences along U.S. borders and imposes harsh penalties on those who hire or help illegal immigrants.

5. Describe the proposed Senate bill.

The bill, which has yet to be debated by the full Senate, would strengthen border enforcement, regulate the flow of "guest workers," and create solutions to legalize some immigrants already living and working in this country.

6. Where does President Bush fall on this issue?

President Bush favors a comprehensive bill that protects border security and creates a guest worker program.

"And by 'comprehensive,' I mean not only a bill that has border security in it," Mr. Bush said, "but a bill that has a worker permit program in it. That's an important part of having a border that works."

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. Between the House of Representatives and the Senate there are several ideas about how to deal with the more than 11 million illegal immigrants in this country. Examine the various viewpoints and come up with your own immigration plan. Explain why you think your solution is the best one.

2. Many students across the country felt strong enough about the issue of immigration to face possible school suspension to protest. Are there any issues about which you feel strong enough to protest? If so, what are they and why? What kinds of protest do you think are most effective?

3. Describe the immigration situation in your community? How does illegal immigration affect local businesses such as construction companies, restaurants, or factories? How do different people in your community feel about the laws proposed by the House and Senate?

Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra (extra@newshour.org). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.